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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes
Published on: February 8, 2016
Histopathological Findings of Testicular Tissue Following Cadmium Toxicity in Rats
Saeedeh Shojaeepour1, Shahriar Dabiri1, Bahram Dabiri2
1Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Background & Objective:
Reproductive toxicity of cadmium (Cd) as an environmental toxicant has been proved in animals and humans. Exposure to Cd impairs testes organs and can reduce male fertility. The present study was designed to investigate the spectrum of histopathological changes in testicular tissue focusing on Sertoli cells in rats following Cd intoxication.
Methods:
In the present experiment, acute testicular toxicity was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 1.2 mg/kg CdCl2 to the animals in the test group, while the control group received normal saline. After 52 days, the animals were euthanized, and testicular tissue was stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin. In addition, immunohistochemical staining was performed on Sertoli cells for Wilms' Tumor, Melan-A, and CD99 to evaluate histopathological changes.
Results:
Cd caused significant alterations in seminiferous tubules with varying effects on the patterns of spermatozoa production. These histopathological changes were significantly higher in the Cd group, compared to the control group.
Conclusion:
The Cd-induced stepwise spectrum changes included sloughing, disorganization, hypospermatogenesis, spermatic cell arrest, germ cell hypoplasia, Sertoli cell-only pattern, fibro-hyalinized seminiferous tubules, and calcification. Sertoli cells accumulated and created multinucleated giant cells in the seminiferous tubules during the atrophic process, which could be dependent upon Sertoli cells viability and function.
Insights
Cadmium (Cd) exposure causes significant testicular damage and impairs male fertility in rats. Histopathological analysis revealed extensive changes in seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells, highlighting Cd
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Biology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental toxicant with proven reproductive toxicity in animals and humans.
- Cd exposure negatively impacts testicular function and male fertility.
- Understanding Cd's effects on testicular tissue, particularly Sertoli cells, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histopathological changes in rat testicular tissue following cadmium intoxication.
- To specifically examine the effects of Cd on Sertoli cells.
Main Methods:
- Acute testicular toxicity was induced using intraperitoneal injection of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in rats.
- Testicular tissue was analyzed using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.
- Immunohistochemical staining for Wilms' Tumor, Melan-A, and CD99 was performed on Sertoli cells.
Main Results:
- Cadmium exposure induced significant alterations in seminiferous tubules and spermatozoa production.
- Histopathological changes were markedly more severe in the cadmium-exposed group compared to controls.
- Specific changes included sloughing, disorganization, and reduced germ cell populations.
Conclusions:
- Cadmium intoxication leads to a spectrum of histopathological changes in testicular tissue.
- These changes encompass seminiferous tubule damage, impaired spermatogenesis, and alterations in Sertoli cells.
- Sertoli cell accumulation and multinucleated giant cell formation were observed during the atrophic process.
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